Cooktop Spatter Protection System

ABSTRACT

A cooktop protection system includes a front section guard disposed at a top surface of a cooktop forward from a burner section, the front section guard having a plurality of portions, a rear section guard disposed at a rear portion of the cooktop behind the burner section, the rear section having a top portion and a forward-facing surface, and at least one side section guard disposed along at least one lateral side of the cooktop surface, each of the at least one side section guards comprises a top section and a vertical section extending from an underside of the top section. The vertical section is disposed in a space between the at least one lateral side of the cooktop surface and a vertical edge of an adjacent countertop surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/318,809, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooktop spatter protection system and, more particularly, to a spatter protection system that includes a plurality of shield portions that cooperate with one another to generally circumscribe a perimeter of the cooking surface associated with the forward, rear, and side portions of the cooktop that are laterally outboard of the heating elements.

In an effort to improve the cleanliness and cleaning commonly associated with use of cooktops, various others provide cooktop protection devices and/or assemblies that are constructed to mitigate spillage and/or spatter associated with cooking activities and the efforts required to clean the cooktop after use. Such assemblies are not without their respective drawbacks.

One such assembly, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,282, discloses a disposable stove top covering that includes a plurality of openings that cooperate with the discrete heating elements and includes an at least partially porous surface such that the covering absorbs spilled fluids and materials and prevents the spilled materials from contacting the generally planar surface that surrounds that heating elements. Such covering devices must be constructed specific to the heating element layout associated with a respective cooktop and facilitate containment of food and liquid spillage as well as information regarding usage of the cooktop and the covering device.

Still others disclose cooktop protection assemblies that generally obstruct access to the heating surface associated with use of the cooktop. Although such arrangements are advantageous to mitigate interaction of the cooktop by small children or the like, such arrangements, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,136, 5,117,807, and 4,770,091 are fairly substantial and interfere with the desired use of the cooktop by others. Still further, such assemblies tend to increase spillage incidents rather that reduce the same due to the vertical and outward extending construction of the assembly to prevent children front reaching the cooking surface and the cookware associated therewith.

Accordingly, there is a need for a cooktop spill and/or spatter protection assembly that can he quickly associated with a cooktop independent of the configuration of the heating elements associated with the cooktop and which does not unduly interfere with the association of cookware with the cooking appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a spatter protection system that includes a plurality of shield portions that cooperate with one another to generally circumscribe a perimeter of the cooking surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a cooktop splash guard system includes a pair of side rails, a front section, and a rear section. Each side rail is defined by a cross-section having a top facing surface and a projection that extends in a downward direction, such that the top facing surface and the projection define a T-shaped cross-section having opposite lateral sides that overhang a respective countertop surface and a cooktop surface. Further, the projection is shaped to be disposed between the vertical surfaces of the cooktop and the countertop. The front section includes at least a generally L-shaped cross-section having a first leg that overhangs a forward face of the cooktop, a top face that overhangs the top cooktop surface, and opposite ends that lap a forward-facing end of each of the pair of respective rails. The rear section has at least an L-shaped cross section. A first portion of the rear section overhangs a rearward portion of the top cooktop surface at a location laterally outboard of the burner section, opposite ends of the first portion lap a respective one of the pair of side rails, and a second portion of the rear section is oriented in an upstanding orientation relative to the first portion.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of forming cooktop protection system includes forming a read panel that is supported by a cooktop and positionable along a rear portion of the cooktop such that an inboard edge of the rear panel does not extend into a burner section of the cooktop forming a front panel that is supported by the cooktop and positionable along a forward and front portion of the cooktop such that an inboard edge of the front panel does not extend into the burner section of the cooktop, forming a left hand and right hand rail that are supported by the cooktop and positionable along a respective lateral side portion of the cooktop such that an inboard edge of each respective rail does not extend into the burner section of the cooktop. Protrusions of the left hand and right hand rails extend in a downward direction so as to be captured between a respective side panel of a cooktop and on adjacent counter surface, such that each of the left hand and right hand rails overhang the respective adjacent counter surface and a top surface of the cooktop.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a cooktop protection system includes a front section guard disposed at a top surface of a cooktop forward from a burner section, the front section guard having a plurality of portions, a rear section guard disposed at a rear portion of the cooktop behind the burner section, the rear section having a top portion and a forward-facing surface, and at least one side section guard disposed along at least one lateral side of the cooktop surface, each of the at least one side section guards comprises a top section and a vertical section extending from an underside of the top section. The vertical section is disposed in a space between the at least one lateral side of the cooktop surface and a vertical edge of an adjacent countertop surface.

These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

In drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cooktop with a front guard according to the present invention associated with the cooktop;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the front guard shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a rear guard according to the present invention oriented in an in-use position associated with an underlying cooktop;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the rear guard oriented in a stowed or non-use position relative to the underlying cooktop; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and shows a left hand side guard associated with the cooktop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 show various guard sections associated with forming a cooktop splash guard system according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the cooktop splash guard system includes a front section guard 12. The front section guard 12 is constructed to cooperate with a cooktop appliance 10. Cooktop appliance 10 includes a burner section 14 that is generally associated with a top or cooktop surface 16 of appliance 10 and an oven 18 that is position generally below the cooktop surface 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, a forward-facing section 20 of the cooktop appliance 10 includes a number of burner controls 22. Further, the back panel 24 of the cooktop appliance 10 includes one or more controls 26 associated with operation of the oven 18. It is appreciated that cooktop appliance could be provided in various other configurations—such as a configuration wherein the oven and burner controls are associated with one of back panel 24 or forward-facing section 20 of cooking appliance 10. Commonly, one or more countertop surfaces 28, 30 are oriented proximate the opposite lateral sides 60, 62 of the cooktop appliance 10 to facilitate cooking activities and the placement of ingredients, utensils, and/or cookware—such as pots and pans proximate the cooking appliance 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front section guard 12 extends from a first end 12 a to a second end 12 b in a generally forward direction, indicated by arrow 34, relative to cooktop surface 16. The first end 12 a is disposed forward from the burner section 14 of the cooktop surface 16. Front guard section 12 includes a first portion 36 that is disposed between a cooking grate 38 and cooktop surface 16. The first portion 36 extends from a first edge 36 a aligned with the first end 12 a of the front section guard 12 to a second edge 36 a disposed at a location 12 c between the first and second ends 12 a, 12 b of the front section guard 12. A second section 40 of front guard section 12 extends in the generally forward direction 34 relative to cooktop surface 16 and includes a channel 42, a first upstanding wall 44, an extension section 46 and a second upstanding wall 48. The second section 40 extends from a first edge 40 a disposed at the location 12 c to a second edge 40 b aligned with the second end 12 b of the front section guard 12.

In the representative embodiment of the invention, the channel 42 extends from a first edge 42 a aligned with the first edge 40 a of the second section 40 to a second edge 40 b disposed at a first location 40 c between the first and second edges 40 a, 40 b of the second section 40. Further, the first upstanding wall 44 extends upward from a first edge 44 a aligned with the first location 40 c to a second edge 44 b disposed at a second location 40 d between the first and second edges 40 a, 40 b of the second section 40. While FIG. 2 illustrates the first upstanding wall 44 as extending vertically from the first location 40 c so that the first and second edges 44 a, 44 b are aligned along the same vertical plane, it is also contemplated that the first upstanding wall 44 may extend upward from the first location 40 c at any other angle so that the first and second edges 44 a, 44 b are not aligned along the same vertical plane. The extension section 46 extends from a first edge 46 a disposed at the second location 40 d to a second edge 46 b disposed at a third location 40 e located between the second location 40 d and the second edge 40 b of the second section 40. The second upstanding wall 48 extends upward from a first edge 48 a located at the third location 40 e and a second edge 48 b disposed at the second edge 40 b of the second section 40. While FIG. 2 illustrates the second upstanding wall 48 as extending vertically so that the first and second edges 48 a, 48 b are aligned along the same vertical plane, other embodiments of the invention may have the second upstanding wall 48 extending upward. from the third location 40 e at any other angle so that the first and second edges 48 a, 48 b are not aligned along the same vertical plane.

Additionally, the channel 42 and the extension section 46 are illustrated as being oriented in horizontal planes. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the channel 42 may be oriented at any angle relative to horizontal. Similarly, the extension section 46 may be oriented at any angle relative to horizontal.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the front section guard 12 comprises a single piece of material including fold lines disposed between the channel 42, first upstanding wall 44, extension section 46, and second upstanding wall 48. However, it is also contemplated that one or more of the channel 42, first upstanding wall 44, extension section 46, and second upstanding wall 48 may be separate pieces of material coupled to each other.

The front section guard 12 extends in direction 34 so as to generally overlie a top surface 50 or a door 52 associated with oven 18 of cooktop 10. The front section guard 12 is configured to mitigate spillage, and/or spatter collection along the top surface 50 of door 52 and/or the handle 56 associated with cooktop 10. Preferably, the first portion 36 of the front section guard 12 extends only a minimal distance beyond a forward edge of the cooking appliance 10 and an upper perimeter edge of the cooking appliance 10, so as to not overly interfere with user interaction with cooking appliance 10 during cooking activities.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cooktop splash guard system also includes a rear section guard 58 that extends from a first side edge 58 a to a second side edge 58 b between respective opposite lateral edges 60, 62 associated with cooktop 10 that are generally located proximate adjacent countertop sections 28, 30. Rear section guard 58 includes a top portion 64 having a first edge 64 a and a second edge 64 b and a forward-facing surface 66 having first edge 66 a and a second edge 66 b. The forward-facing surface 66 is configured to extend from the second edge 64 b of the top portion 64 at an angle thereto. While FIG. 3 illustrates the forward-facing surface 66 as extending perpendicular to the top portion 64, the forward-facing surface 66 may extend from the top portion 64 at any angle. Further, the first edge 66 a of the forward-facing surface 66 is aligned with the second edge 64 b of the top portion 64.

When the rear section guard 58 is oriented in an in-use position 59, as shown in FIG. 3, the top portion 64 is constructed to generally overlie the top surface 24 a associated with rear portion 24 of cooktop 10 and the forward facing surface 66 is constructed to be oriented in a generally vertical direction, indicated by arrow 71, such that rear section guard 58 generally overlies the entirety of the rear section 24 of cooktop 10 above cooktop surface 16 when in use.

Referring to FIG. 4, when cooktop surface 16 is not in use, or when used with non-spatter producing appliances, such as a teapot or the like, rear section guard 58 can be rotated to a non-use position 61 so as to expose the various controls 26 associated with rear portion 24 of cooktop 10 to facilitate usage of oven. In the non-use position 61, the forward-facing surface 66 is oriented to generally overlie the top surface 24 a associated with the rear portion 24 of the cooktop 10. Preferably, rear section guard 58 is constructed to cooperate with cooking appliance 10 in a manner wherein the rear section guard 58 can be quickly and conveniently moved between the in-use position 59 shown in FIG. 3 and the non-use position 61 shown in FIG. 4 to facilitate access to controls 26 when such controls are associated with the operation of one or more of the burner elements associated with cooktop surface 16. Such a consideration facilitates use of rear section guard 58 even during use of the cooktop surface 16 for cooking activities.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear section guard 58 includes opposite longitudinal ends, 68, 70 constructed to extend beyond the lateral edges 60, 62 of cooktop 10. The longitudinal ends 68, 70 are shaped to cooperate with opposite lateral side guards 73 as described further below. Preferably, front section guard 12 and rear section guard 58 cooperate with opposite lateral side guards 73 such that the guard system completely circumscribes the cooktop surface 16 without interfering with any of the heating or burner elements associated therewith, without obscuring the operational controls associated with use of cooktop surface 16, and without unduly impeding or otherwise obstructing the lateral association of cooking appliances—such as pots and pans—with the heating elements of the cooktop surface 16 during cooking activities.

Referring to FIG. 5, the splash guard system of the present invention includes a pair of opposite lateral side section guards 73 that extend in forward direction 34 from a first edge 73 a aligned with the rear section 24 of cooktop 10 to a second edge 73 b generally aligned with the forward-facing edge 20 along opposite lateral sides 60, 62 of cooktop surface 16. Each side section guard 73 has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape 74, which will be described in further detail below. It is appreciated that the opposite left hand and right hand side section guards 73 have generally mirror image constructions relative to one another and relative to a vertical plane that bisects cooking appliance 10 such that the respective guards 73 can be used along either of the lateral edges of the underlying appliance 10.

The cross-sectional shape 74 of each side section guard is defined by a respective top section 76 and a respective vertical section or projection 78. Top section 76 extends in a lateral direction, indicated by arrow 78, between an inboard edge 80 that extends along cooktop surface 16 and an outboard lateral edge 82 that overlaps a portion of adjacent counter top surface 28, 30. In varying embodiments of the invention, the top section 76 may be convex, as shown in FIG. 5, concave, or planar in shape. The vertical section 78 of each respective side section guard 70 extends in a generally downward direction from an underside 84 of top section 76 at a location 81 between the inboard edge 80 and the outboard lateral edge 82. In addition, the vertical section 78 is configured to interfit with a space 86 between a respective lateral edge 60, 62 of cooktop 10 and a respective vertical edge 88 associated with the adjacent counter top surface 28, 30. The vertical section 78 may extend from the underside 84 of the top section 76 at angle with respect thereto and may be oriented vertically or at any other angle.

Cooperation of vertical section 78 with space 86 prevents lateral translation of side section guard 70 relative to cooktop surface 16 when in use. Said in another way, the generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape of each side section guard 70 maintains the desired orientation of the respective side section guards 70 relative to cooktop appliance 10 and mitigates the passage of cooking materials or fluids into the space 88 formed between cooktop appliance 10 and the adjacent countertop surface 28, 30.

During cooking activities, forward section guard 12, rear section guard 58, and opposite lateral sides section guards 73 are associated with cooking appliance 10 so as to generally circumscribe cooktop surface 16 in a manner wherein the respective section guards do not interfere with the use of any of the respective heating or burner elements 90, 92 associated with cooktop surface 16. Preferably, the opposite longitudinal ends of each of front section guard 12, rear section guard 58, and opposite side section guards 73 cooperate with one another so as to generally overlap one another such that the cooperation of the respective guard sections completely circumscribe cooktop surface 16 such that drips, spillage, and/or spatter can be collected by the respective guard sections as cooking appliances, such as pots and pans, are associated with and removed from cooktop surface 16. Such considerations mitigate the cleanup efforts associated with the utilization of cooking appliance 10 and prevent the seepage, spillage, dripping, and/or spatter of fluids associated with the cooking activities to those areas that are customarily less readily able to be cleaned. The combination of the front section guard 12, rear section guard 58, and opposite side section guards 73 define an inboard perimeter footprint that surrounds the burner section 14 and its heating elements and is laterally outboard of tangential lines between discrete heating elements.

It is further appreciated that each of guard section 12, 58, 73 of the spatter guard system disclosed herein can be constructed from a washable, reusable, or disposable material. Preferably, each of the respective guard sections is formed of a disposable aluminum foil type material such that the respective guard sections can be disposed and replaced when desired. It is further appreciated that some cooking activities will be less messy or prone to drips, spillage, and/or spatter such that the replacement of the respective guard sections will most likely not be necessary upon completion of every cooking activity.

It should further be appreciated that guard sections 12, 58, 70 are each provided in a generally low-profile configuration that accommodates the repeated placement and removal of cooking appliances, such as pots and pans or like, relative to cooktop 16 without effectuating displacement of the respective guard sections relative to their desired respective placement relative to one another and relative to cooking appliance 10. As such, the cooktop splash guard system disclosed herein is configured to mitigate cleanup efforts associated with utilization of cooking appliance 10 without unduly interfering with the customary utilization of the heating elements associated with cooktop surface 16.

The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments. The several embodiments disclosed herein are related as being directed to the assembly as generally shown in the drawings. It is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, the embodiments summarized, or the embodiment shown in the drawings, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. It is further appreciated that aspects of the multiple embodiments are not specific to any of the particular embodiment and may be applicable between one or more of the disclosed embodiments. The appending claims cover all such alternatives and equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooktop splash guard system comprising: a pair of side rails, wherein each side rail is defined by a cross-section having a top facing surface and a projection that extends in a downward direction such that the top facing surface and the projection define a T-shaped cross-section having opposite lateral sides that overhang a respective countertop surface and a cooktop surface that is laterally outboard of a burner section of the cooktop surface, and wherein the projection is shaped to be disposed between the vertical surfaces of the cooktop and the countertop; a front section having at least a generally L-shaped cross-section that includes a first leg that overhangs a forward face of the cooktop, a top face that overhangs the top cooktop surface, and opposite ends that lap a forward-facing end of each of the pair of respective rails; and a rear section having at least an L-shaped cross section, wherein a first portion of the rear section overhangs a rearward portion of the top cooktop surface at a location laterally outboard of the burner section, opposite ends of the first portion lap a respective one of the pair of side rails, and a second portion of the rear section is oriented in an upstanding orientation relative to the first portion.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the pair of side rails, the front section and the rear section are formed of at least one of a disposable and a washable material.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the pair of side rails, the front section and the rear section are formed of a disposable aluminum foil material.
 4. The system of claim l wherein each respective surface and portion is separated by a fold line.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the pair of rails, front section, and rear section define an inboard perimeter footprint that surrounds the burner section of the cooktop surface.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the top facing surface of each rail has a convex shape.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein a radial center of the top facing surface is aligned with the projection.
 8. A method of forming a cooktop protection system, the method comprising: forming a rear panel that is supported by a cooktop and positionable along a rear portion of the cooktop such that an inboard edge of the rear panel does not extend into a burner section of the cooktop; forming a front panel that is supported by the cooktop and positionable along a forward and front portion of the cooktop such that an inboard edge of the front panel does not extend into the burner section of the cooktop; and forming a left hand and right hand rail that are supported by the cooktop and positionable along a respective lateral side portion of the cooktop such that an inboard edge of each respective rail does not extend into the burner section of the cooktop and such that a protrusion extends in a downward direction so as to be captured between a respective side panel of a cooktop and an adjacent counter surface such that each of the left hand and right hand rails overhang the respective adjacent counter surface and a top surface of the cooktop.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming each of the rear panel, the front panel, and the respective left hand and right hand rails from the same material.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming each of the rear panel, the front panel, and the respective left hand and right hand rails from an aluminum foil material.
 11. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming each of the rear panel, the front panel, and the respective left hand and the right hand rails in longitudinal lengths similar to the respective dimensions of commercially available cooktops.
 12. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming at least one fold line in each of the respective rear panel, the front panel, and the respective left hand and right hand rails such that the rear panel, the front panel, and the respective left hand and right hand rails can he provided in a flat configuration prior to association of the same relative to a respective cooktop.
 13. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming more than one of the rear panel, the front panel, and the respective left hand and right hand rails to be at least one of washable, dishwasher safe, and disposable.
 14. A cooktop protection system comprising: a front section guard disposed at a top surface of a cooktop forward from a burner section, the front section guard having a plurality of portions; a rear section guard disposed at a rear portion of the cooktop behind the burner section, the rear section having a top portion and a forward-facing surface; and at least one side section guard disposed along at least one lateral side of the cooktop surface, each of the at least one side section guards comprises a top section and a vertical section extending from an underside of the top section, wherein the vertical section is disposed in a space between the at least one lateral side of the cooktop surface and a vertical edge of an adjacent countertop surface.
 15. The cooktop protection system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of portions of the front section guard include: a first portion disposed between a cooking grate and the top surface of the cooktop; and a second portion extending from the first portion in a forward direction relative to the top surface of the cooktop, the second portion including: a channel; a first upstanding wall; an extension section; and a second upstanding wall.
 16. The cooktop protection system of claim 15, wherein the channel extends forward from the first portion; wherein the first upstanding wall extends upward from the channel; wherein the extension section extends forward from the first upstanding wall; and wherein the second upstanding wall extends upward from the extension section.
 17. The cooktop protection system of claim 14, wherein the rear section guard has an in-use position and a non-use position.
 18. The cooktop protection system of claim 17, wherein the top portion of the rear section guard overlies a top surface of the rear portion of the cooktop and the forward-facing surface of the rear section guard is oriented vertically in front of the rear portion of the cooktop when in the in-use position.
 19. The cooktop protection system of claim 17, wherein the top portion of the rear section guard is oriented vertically behind the rear portion of the cooktop and the forward-facing surface of the rear section guard overlies a top surface of the rear portion when in the non-use position.
 20. The cooktop protection system of claim 14, wherein each of the front section guard, rear section guard, and at least one side section guard comprises a material being at least one of washable, dishwasher safe, and disposable. 